Health Local Laws Review

Review Of Health Local Laws

We’re reviewing our local laws to ensure they remain current, and we’re seeking your feedback.

A range of Acts and subsidiary legislation are in operation to manage public and environmental health risks common to WA. In many cases, local governments are the lead enforcement agency for the administration and enforcement of legislation within the local district and have a responsibility for liaising directly with the public, local businesses and industry on compliance responsibilities.

In addition to legislation, the City of Fremantle Health Local Laws 1997 provides controls for Sanitation, Housing, Waste and Food Refuse, the Keeping of Animals, Pest Control, Infectious Diseases, Lodging Houses, and Offensive Trades.

As part of the Local Government reforms and implementation of the Local Government Amendment Act 2024, the City of Fremantle is now required to review all local laws within a two-year period, prior to 7 December 2026, unless a review occurred within the last 8 years.

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 12 March 2025, Council approved to review the City of Fremantle’s local laws by a suitable timeframe. This timeframe takes into consideration changes to principle legislation and other matters which will influence any recommended changes to the local laws.

The approved local law review schedule is below:

City of Fremantle Local Law	Review Timeframe	*Live Update*
Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2005	To be amended and brought back to Council within 3 months.
Alfresco Dining Local Law (No.2) 2014	Review to be brought back to Council within 18 months.	Review active
Cat Management Local Law 2020	Review to be brought back to Council within 12 months.	Review completed 12/08/2026
Local Laws Relating to Dogs 1998	Review to be brought back to Council before the end of 2025.	Review completed 24/06/2026
Health Local Laws 1997	Review to be brought back to Council within 18 months.
Parking Local Law 2021	Remain unchanged	Review completed 25/06/2025
Prevention and Abatement of Sand Drift Local Law 2002	Remain unchanged	Review completed 25/06/2025
Local Government Property Local Law 2002	Review to be brought back to Council within 12 months.
Short Stay Accommodation Local Law 2008	Review to be brought back to Council within 6 months.	Review completed 25/03/2026
Local Government Model By-laws (Signs, Hoardings and Billposting), No. 13	To be repealed and brought back to Council within 3 months.	Review completed 25/03/2026

Since its commencement in 1998, the Health Local Laws have not been reviewed. In addition to changes to common practices, in 2024 various health regulations were repealed and replaced with Public Health Guidelines, which has resulted in a number of sections of the local laws needing to be removed or amended.

Officers have undertaken an internal review of the City of Fremantle Health Local Laws 1997 in accordance with the local law review schedule and propose that no changes are made at this time, and that a new Health Local Law is drafted in 2027 to align with the Public Health Act reforms and the City's new Public Health Plan.

As the City is subject to local law review provisions within the Local Government Amendment Act 2024, to formally complete the review of the City of Fremantle Health Local Laws 1997, the City must provide the opportunity for the community to make submissions before the Council can determine if the local laws should remain unchanged at this time.

All submissions will be considered in a report brought back to Council after the 6-week (minimum) submission period. Submissions will contribute to the drafting of a new Health Local Law.

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 23 September 2026, Council approved for the following public notice to be given (C2609-4):

Public Notice

In accordance with section 3.16 of the Local Government Act 1995, the City of Fremantle gives public notice that the City of Fremantle Health Local Laws 1997 is proposed to be reviewed, in accordance with the approved schedule adopted by Council.

No changes to the local law are proposed at this time. The purpose of this consultation is to hear from the community before Council determines whether the existing Local Law should be amended, repealed, or remain unchanged.

Copies of the abovementioned local law are available to view below, online at https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/your-city-and-council/public-notice/ and in hard copy at the Walyalup Civic Centre.

Submit Your Feedback
The City of Fremantle invites public submissions on the abovementioned local law. Submissions can be made to the Chief Executive Officer.

We are asking the public to:

Review the City of Fremantle Health Local Laws 1997 via the Key Documents
Read the Frequently Asked Questions.
Share feedback via the Survey on this project page.

If you would like to meet with City staff before submitting your feedback, please email communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au Please note, 1:1 meeting requests are subject to staff availability and scheduling. Group meetings will be capped to 10 people at a time.

Submissions can be submitted online via the submission form below, or:

By Mail
PO Box 807
Fremantle WA 6959
In Person
Walyalup Civic Centre
151 High Street
Fremantle WA 6160
By email
governance@fremantle.wa.gov.au
Online
via the submission form below

A hard copy of the survey and draft local law can be sent or picked up upon request by emailing the Governance Team via governance@fremantle.wa.gov.au.

Submissions close Monday, 16 November 2026 at 5pm AWST.